Chinese Food Appetizer Ideas: Do you desire some Chinese food but are looking for appetizers?
From fried shrimp with black bean sauce to dumplings dipped in soy sauce, here are seven of the most popular dishes served as appetizers or starters at many restaurants.
Great 6 ideas of Chinese Food Appetizer Ideas
1. Fried Shrimps with Black Bean Sauce
Fried Shrimps with Black Bean Sauce is a trendy appetizer or a starter in every Chinese restaurant. The crispy shrimps are served in a black bean sauce, giving them a distinct flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of shrimps (large shrimp with pincers)
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp of flour
Method:
1. Wash shrimps and dry them.
2. Coat the shrimp with flour and coat again with egg.
3. Heat oil in a wok (use peanut oil) and deep fry the shrimp till golden brown.
4. Drain excess oils in a paper towel or kitchen towel.
5. Pour sauce into a bowl (black beans sauce, soy sauce, chili garlic paste, vinegar, some water, and some corn starch). Mix well to make the sauce thick enough for dipping purposes with shrimps as garnish.
2. Fried Dumplings with Soy Sauce
Fried Dumplings with Soy Sauce is a good starter for any Chinese meal. The dumplings are dipped in soy sauce and are crunchy and delicious. This appetizer can be enjoyed on its own or as a starter for an entire meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of round dumplings (available in any Chinese store)
- 1 egg for coating dumpling dough.
- 3 tbsp of soy sauce
- 2 tbsp of vinegar
Method:
1. Soak the dumplings in warm water (for about 10 minutes). Ensure that no water gets into the dumplings as it might result in a mushy stuffed dumpling.
2. Separate the dumplings and ensure there is no water on them.
3. Make 2-3 small holes (about 1 cm in diameter) on one side of the dumpling (usually, it is the top side of the dumpling).
4. Take a bowl, put in some water, and bring it to a boil (do not use hot water as it will melt the dough and make holes more prominent).
5. Dip dumplings in boiling water for about 30 seconds.
6. Take the dumplings out from the bowl and dip again in another bowl containing cold water (use cold tap water). This will set the dough and prevent it from becoming sticky.
7. Then, take the dumplings out from the water, drain excess water on a paper towel or kitchen towel (both sides of the dumpling should be dried)
8. Dip them in an egg and make several small holes on the dumplings.
9. Then, put the dumplings in a bowl with hot oil ( use peanut oil or vegetable oil). It would help if you greased the dumplings with oil not to stick. Cook for about 30 seconds on each side till it comes out golden brown.
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3. Steamed Vegetables
Steamed Vegetables are an excellent appetizer to go with a meal. Various vegetables are cooked with seasoning, then dipped in some soy sauce or chili garlic paste and sesame oil.
Ingredients:
- 2 pack of Chinese vegetables (available in any Chinese store)
- 1 egg for coating the dumplings.
Method:
1. Cut the vegetables and cut into small pieces. You can use any vegetable of your choice.
2. Dip the vegetable into the water, then dip it in the egg and shake off the extra egg.
3. Put the vegetable in a bowl with hot oil (use peanut oil or Vegetable Oil). Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side till it comes out golden brown. Drain excess fat on a paper towel or kitchen towel.
4. Then, put the vegetables in a bowl with some soy sauce (about 3 tbsp) and sesame oil (at least 1 tbsp). Use more soy sauce and sesame oil if you like the dumplings too salty or soy sauce.
4. Fried Crab with Vegetables
Fried Crab with Vegetables is a popular appetizer in Chinese restaurants. The crab meat is stir-fried with some vegetables and topped with fish strips and sometimes eggs. It is served hot as an appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 1 crab (cleaned)
- 1 egg for coating the dumplings.
- 1 tsp of sugar
- 2 tbsp of soy sauce
Method:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil (use medium-high heat). Add salt and pepper. Throw in the crab and simmer for about 10 minutes. The meat should be tender and easily pierced with a fork or chopstick. Remove from pot and cut into smaller pieces if desired.
2. Dip the crab meat into a bowl containing cold water to set the red color (to prevent the heart from turning brown).
3. Put the crab meat in a bowl with chopped spring onions, carrots, celery, and pepper.
4. Make the sauce: combine soy sauce and sugar and stir with a tablespoon for about 10 seconds
5. Heat oil in a wok (use peanut oil). Add some spring onions, finely chopped garlic, and ginger at low heat. Stir fry for about 1 minute, ensuring that the garlic does not burn.
6. Add vegetables and stir for about 30 seconds.
7. Add crab meat and sauce, stir fry for another minute.
8. Toss in fish strips (optional). Stir fry for another minute until the fish turns slightly opaque.
9. Remove from heat and serve hot with a plate of steamed white rice or Fried Dumplings with Soy Sauce
5. Shrimp Toast (Crispy Shrimp Toast)
Shrimp Toast is one of the best appetizers available in many Chinese restaurants or diners in America. The toast is crispy, and the filling is tasty.
Ingredients:
- 8 large shrimp (peeled and clean)
- 1 egg for coating the dumplings.
- 3 tbsp of soy sauce
- 1 tsp of sugar (optional)
Method:
1. Make sure that the shrimp is dry and cleaned well with cold water. Then chop it into smaller pieces.
2. Dip the shrimp in egg and shake off the extra egg
3. Make small shallow holes (about 1 cm in diameter) on top of the shrimp with a fork
4. Put a little bit of shrimp filling inside each hole (optional). You can make more or less as you wish depending on your taste
5. Then dip the dumplings in some corn starch; this will help to keep them from cracking when frying
6. Heat some oil (use vegetable oil or peanut oil) in a wok. When the oil is hot, put dumplings in it and put some spring onion, garlic, ginger, and green pepper. Turn them over for about 2 minutes on each side.
7. Remove from heat, serve hot with a plate of steamed white rice or Fried Dumplings with Soy Sauce
6. Meat Samosa
Meat Samosa is a popular appetizer eaten with a dipping sauce of your choice. The outer layer of the samosa is crispy and flaky, while the inside is soft.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of round samosas (available in any Indian store)
- 2 tbsp of soy sauce
- 1 tbsp of vinegar (or lemon juice)
Method:
1. Heat oil in a wok and add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger at low heat (about 1 minute).
2. add chopped vegetables (you can add any vegetables of your choice) and stir for about 2 minutes.
3. Then add chicken, chopped shrimp, and mushrooms and stir for about 1 minute at low heat (do not overcook the meat).
4. Add soy sauce, vinegar or lemon juice, sugar, and pepper (1 tsp) to the mixture.
5. Put a plate over the wok to cover the wok (this is to prevent splatters). Set the mixture aside for about 10 minutes. The meat should turn opaque.
6. Fill the samosa pastry with the mixture (you can make more or less as you wish).
7. Seal the samosa with egg wash and cook in oil at low heat for about 3-5 minutes, turning it over to cook both sides. The pastry should be golden brown on both sides and flaky when cut with a fork.
8. Serve hot with a plate of steamed white rice or Fried Dumplings with Soy Sauce.
Conclusion
Chinese food is becoming increasingly popular with millennials. The new generation of Asian-Americans are unafraid to explore the cuisine and has even come up with some creative dishes on their own.
This creativity, which is present in many different cultures, makes America so great! Chinese food is not just for Chinese people!
As more and more people become interested in the cuisine, they are unafraid to explore it.
